Primate welfare charity asks that we remember the monkey in the tug of love story
Media reports of a “Tug of Love” story which involves a pet marmoset monkey have focussed on the feelings of the humans, but have ignored the true victim. Wild Futures, the UK primate welfare and conservation charity, has responded to the story of “Falcao” a pet monkey who was reportedly sold by the ex-partner of a woman in Manchester, by asking people to remember that primates should not be pets because it causes physical and psychological suffering – to the monkey. Government Ministers have repeatedly said that keeping any primate on its own and in a domestic environment is in contravention of the Animal Welfare Act. But no mention has been made of this in the Media reports.
An estimated 5,000 primates* are being kept as pets in the UK. Marmosets, capuchins and squirrel monkeys are just some of the species being kept as pets, destined for unnecessary suffering in an unnatural environment.
Most recently, the news has reported the case of marmoset, Falcao, who was reportedly bought when he was only 8 weeks old. All primate experts believe that this is far too young to be taken from his parents. He was reportedly kept on his own. This was in clear contravention of the Animal Welfare Act.
Wild Futures runs The Monkey Sanctuary in Cornwall, a safe haven for victims of the primate pet trade. They believe that the cases of suffering they encounter on a frequent basis are just the tip of the iceberg and they have an ongoing petition calling on the governments in the UK to introduce regulations that will end the keeping and trading of these complex creatures as pets.
Director at Wild Futures, Rachel Hevesi said: “We witness the effects of this cruel and unnecessary trade on a daily basis. Every primate that we have rescued has arrived with physical and/or psychological damage. It can take years of intensive care for them to recover.
Rachel added: “Monkeys are beautiful and we understand why people love their pets…But, marmosets are wild animals with vital social, physical and environmental needs that cannot be met in a human home. Government Ministers have repeatedly said that keeping primates in a domestic setting is not appropriate. Yet, marmosets and other monkeys continue to be sold and bought, exploiting the lack of understanding of these intelligent animals. The marmoset in this article was reportedly bought when he was only 8 weeks old – far too young to be taken from his parents, causing both short and long term suffering.
The situation is so acute that Wild Futures is currently running an appeal to raise £60,000 to build a specialised facility for marmoset monkeys; the smallest victims of the pet trade.**”
The trend for keeping primates is on the rise – but because of the specific needs of these animals their level of suffering is extreme. Wild Futures has gathered forces with other charities and is campaigning for an end to the keeping and trading of pet primates
#ProtectPrimates visit www.protectprimates.org
**Marmoset Appeal: www.wildfutures.org/marmoset-appeal/
*Use of the word primates relates to non-human primates
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Notes to Editors:
About Wild Futures
Wild Futures (Charity reg. No. 1102532) is the educational and environmental charity promoting the welfare and conservation of primates, as well as working to end the abuse of primates in captivity. Its flagship project, The Monkey Sanctuary, in Cornwall, is home to victims of the primate pet trade. The Monkey Sanctuary is the only sanctuary in Europe accredited by the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS) and is a founder and board member of EARS (European Alliance of Rescue Centres and Sanctuaries). Drawing on 50 years of primate expertise, Wild Futures acts as an advisory body to sanctuaries and conservation organisations in the UK and overseas and advises DEFRA on UK animal welfare legislation.
For more information or pictures, contact:
Rachel Hevesi (Wild Futures, Director)
Claire Turnbull (Wild Futures, PR Team)
Tel: 01503 262532
www.wildfutures.org